Future Editions at Forest Fringe
Forest Cafe
Seen on Wednesday 11th of August 2010
I am not a big fan of the Forest Fringe and the Forest cafe: very trendy and arty people a bit too much up their own backsides. But this was a great idea: a human library where you get a 10 minute slot with someone who is a local expert on a subject: a kind of human book you can talk and interact with. It was so good we did it twice. I talked with a person researching the history of cruising and with someone specialised in environment protection.
It is sad that this kind of interaction has to be part of a festival rather than something happening in everyday life but credit where credit is due, this was still a fantastic idea.
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Great puppets but lacking for the rest
Aberglas
The Zoo
Seen on Wednesday 11th of August 2008
This was a children's show which I went along because we happen to see the puppets used in the show on the royal mile and we thought they looked fantastic.
Not being a child anymore (although some people who know me well would dispute that and not in a good way), I am properly not the best person to review it but if the puppets were great, the story was so so and the puppets were underused I thought. The few kids in the audience did seem to enjoy it ok but not more than that.
The Zoo
Seen on Wednesday 11th of August 2008
This was a children's show which I went along because we happen to see the puppets used in the show on the royal mile and we thought they looked fantastic.
Not being a child anymore (although some people who know me well would dispute that and not in a good way), I am properly not the best person to review it but if the puppets were great, the story was so so and the puppets were underused I thought. The few kids in the audience did seem to enjoy it ok but not more than that.
Thursday, 19 August 2010
There is only one Sammy J
Sammy j skinny man modern world
Underbelly
Seen on Tuesday 10th of August
Sammy J is such an excellent performer. This latest show is fundamentally not that rich in material but he is such a pleasure to watch perform that you soon forget that it is a bit thin sometimes. And there is such darkness and self-loathing lurking in his comedy that I am sometimes a bit worried about him. At his young age, he is already a fringe institution.
Underbelly
Seen on Tuesday 10th of August
Sammy J is such an excellent performer. This latest show is fundamentally not that rich in material but he is such a pleasure to watch perform that you soon forget that it is a bit thin sometimes. And there is such darkness and self-loathing lurking in his comedy that I am sometimes a bit worried about him. At his young age, he is already a fringe institution.
Nature strikes back
Flesh and blood and fish and fowl
Traverse@St Stephens
Seen on Tuesday 10th of August 2010
A decrepit office where a hapless middle manager on the verge of madness and a rather weird and wading bird like secretary argue endlessly is slowly invaded by nature under the form of stuffed animals and potted plants. Sounds weird? Well it is but it is also strangely entertaining and compelling. Fabulous performance from the two main actors and the bear!
Traverse@St Stephens
Seen on Tuesday 10th of August 2010
A decrepit office where a hapless middle manager on the verge of madness and a rather weird and wading bird like secretary argue endlessly is slowly invaded by nature under the form of stuffed animals and potted plants. Sounds weird? Well it is but it is also strangely entertaining and compelling. Fabulous performance from the two main actors and the bear!
...vers de nouvelles aventures
En route
Traverse
Seen on Tuesday 10th of August 2010
Not a play as such but a wonderful wander through the great city that is Edinburgh. Using an MP3 player providing you with reflexions on the relationship interactions between the individual and his/her city interspersed with soothing music, you stroll though the city. You will also use your mobile to read instructions guiding in your escapade. A great experience, enhanced by the end chat with a very friendly team. The only downside is the juggling you have to do between your mobile and the mp3 player but then I am an old man, younger people should find that a doddle.
Traverse
Seen on Tuesday 10th of August 2010
Not a play as such but a wonderful wander through the great city that is Edinburgh. Using an MP3 player providing you with reflexions on the relationship interactions between the individual and his/her city interspersed with soothing music, you stroll though the city. You will also use your mobile to read instructions guiding in your escapade. A great experience, enhanced by the end chat with a very friendly team. The only downside is the juggling you have to do between your mobile and the mp3 player but then I am an old man, younger people should find that a doddle.
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Good but...
The not so fatal death of grandpa Fredo
Traverse
Seen on Tuesday 10th of August 2010
This is not a bad play by any means. The staging is very clever, the songs are good , the story is interesting enough but it all felt a bit light, lacking in depth. After all, it is dealing with nothing less than life and death.
Traverse
Seen on Tuesday 10th of August 2010
This is not a bad play by any means. The staging is very clever, the songs are good , the story is interesting enough but it all felt a bit light, lacking in depth. After all, it is dealing with nothing less than life and death.
King Kitson
It is always right now until it is later
Traverse
Seen on Tuesday 10th of August 2010
This is storytelling at his best. It is moving yet it never gets mawkish and it is so well written. Simply beautiful.
Traverse
Seen on Tuesday 10th of August 2010
This is storytelling at his best. It is moving yet it never gets mawkish and it is so well written. Simply beautiful.
Fingers of fire
Sandy Brechin Band
Acoustic Music Centre
Seen on Monday 9th of August 2010
Music is always a welcome relief during the Fringe. It is just so pleasant and relaxing to just listen to music after having tried to laugh at the poor jokes of average stand-up shows or having strained to understand the deep meaning of a mediocre play about middle-class teenage angst.
So Sandy Brechin Band was a godsend and a very good one too. I am a real novice in that style of music but it was a great evening of celtic accordion in the very welcoming acoustic music centre. The other musicians were much younger but very talented nevertheless. So good I bought a CD :)
Acoustic Music Centre
Seen on Monday 9th of August 2010
Music is always a welcome relief during the Fringe. It is just so pleasant and relaxing to just listen to music after having tried to laugh at the poor jokes of average stand-up shows or having strained to understand the deep meaning of a mediocre play about middle-class teenage angst.
So Sandy Brechin Band was a godsend and a very good one too. I am a real novice in that style of music but it was a great evening of celtic accordion in the very welcoming acoustic music centre. The other musicians were much younger but very talented nevertheless. So good I bought a CD :)
Surreal and didactic?
Lorca is dead
C Soco
Seen on Monday 9th of August 2010
I wasn't such a big fan of Belt-up's Tartuffe last year. As much as I admired the enthusiasm and the energy, I thought it also contributed to a rather messy show. I was therefore slightly apprehensive of what was coming with this new show.
"Lorca is dead" is more traditional: the audience participation is more regimented and the staging and settings of the play more limited. One could argue that there is hardly any point, in that case, to stage it in this way.
For my part, I thought the story of the surrealist club was nevertheless gripping and it made me want to know more about it. An enjoyable show, more didactic than surreal but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
C Soco
Seen on Monday 9th of August 2010
I wasn't such a big fan of Belt-up's Tartuffe last year. As much as I admired the enthusiasm and the energy, I thought it also contributed to a rather messy show. I was therefore slightly apprehensive of what was coming with this new show.
"Lorca is dead" is more traditional: the audience participation is more regimented and the staging and settings of the play more limited. One could argue that there is hardly any point, in that case, to stage it in this way.
For my part, I thought the story of the surrealist club was nevertheless gripping and it made me want to know more about it. An enjoyable show, more didactic than surreal but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
wtf was that?...but in a good way
The incident
Assembly @ George Street
Seen Monday 9th 2010
6 days have now passed since I have seen this show(sorry, it was difficult to find the time to write whilst enjoying the Fringe) and I am still baffled.
What the hell was it? Was it just a very silly comedy by two guys or was it a very deep and profound show about, maybe, masculinity? God knows...but the main thing is, was it entertaining? Yes. definitely, sometimes funny and weird but that is quite nice I guess. Not for kids as it is quite graphic but definitely worth seeing.
Assembly @ George Street
Seen Monday 9th 2010
6 days have now passed since I have seen this show(sorry, it was difficult to find the time to write whilst enjoying the Fringe) and I am still baffled.
What the hell was it? Was it just a very silly comedy by two guys or was it a very deep and profound show about, maybe, masculinity? God knows...but the main thing is, was it entertaining? Yes. definitely, sometimes funny and weird but that is quite nice I guess. Not for kids as it is quite graphic but definitely worth seeing.
Fun in the outbacks
The Ballad of backbone Joe
Pleasance
Seen on Monday 9th of August 2010
Suitcase Royale, who blessed the fringe a few years ago with "Chronicles of a sleepless moon", is back with "The ballad of backbone Joe". With a great "noir" type of story, punctuated by dark and funny songs, this show does not disappoint. Suitecase Royale always seems to have as much fun as the audience which makes for quite a wonderful hour in their company. If you like your comedy dark and slightly absurd, this is a must for you.
Pleasance
Seen on Monday 9th of August 2010
Suitcase Royale, who blessed the fringe a few years ago with "Chronicles of a sleepless moon", is back with "The ballad of backbone Joe". With a great "noir" type of story, punctuated by dark and funny songs, this show does not disappoint. Suitecase Royale always seems to have as much fun as the audience which makes for quite a wonderful hour in their company. If you like your comedy dark and slightly absurd, this is a must for you.
Friday, 13 August 2010
Great feeling
Ovid's metamorphoses
Pleasance Dome
Seen on Monday 9th of August 2010
It is always such a great feeling when it happens. You are at the Fringe Festival, things are ticking away nicely, seeing nice enough shows and enjoying yourself. And then, out of the blue, a show, almost chosen at random, arrives and really lifts you up and reminds you what the Fringe is all about.
Ovid's metamorphoses just did that. It is a combination of comedy, puppetry, music, songs about roman/greek mythology(all dealing with transformations from one being to another) with costumes from the second world war...by now,you must be baffled. So was I...but 5 minutes into the show, you will be enjoying all the clever ideas, the staging and the impeccable singing. I have spent the rest of the show marveling at it and wondering with childish anticipation what was coming next. Truly excellent.
Pleasance Dome
Seen on Monday 9th of August 2010
It is always such a great feeling when it happens. You are at the Fringe Festival, things are ticking away nicely, seeing nice enough shows and enjoying yourself. And then, out of the blue, a show, almost chosen at random, arrives and really lifts you up and reminds you what the Fringe is all about.
Ovid's metamorphoses just did that. It is a combination of comedy, puppetry, music, songs about roman/greek mythology(all dealing with transformations from one being to another) with costumes from the second world war...by now,you must be baffled. So was I...but 5 minutes into the show, you will be enjoying all the clever ideas, the staging and the impeccable singing. I have spent the rest of the show marveling at it and wondering with childish anticipation what was coming next. Truly excellent.
An institution
Shakespeare for breakfast
C
Seen on Monday 9th of August 2010
If anyone doubts that "Shakespeare for breakfast" is an institution of the Fringe, the huge audience attending that day made that very clear. How many early morning shows get a full house that early in the Festival? So what is the verdict on this year's vintage? They made a bold move by using King Lear as the fodder for their romp but the lesser familiarity of the play made it a bit harder for them. Still, the gusto of the cast, an hilarious piss-take of Jeremy Kyle and some silly but well-sung tunes made this production entertaining enough.
C
Seen on Monday 9th of August 2010
If anyone doubts that "Shakespeare for breakfast" is an institution of the Fringe, the huge audience attending that day made that very clear. How many early morning shows get a full house that early in the Festival? So what is the verdict on this year's vintage? They made a bold move by using King Lear as the fodder for their romp but the lesser familiarity of the play made it a bit harder for them. Still, the gusto of the cast, an hilarious piss-take of Jeremy Kyle and some silly but well-sung tunes made this production entertaining enough.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
How daring...really?
The author
Traverse
Seen on Sunday 8th of August 2010
I am not sure why the reviews are raving about this play. There is no stage!! Wow..... The actors are in the audience....amazing...but in the end, this was fairly conventional and the audience involvement remained minimal. Annoyingly, the smugness of the writer/main protagonist of this play had infected the audience and the whole thing stank of middle-class "Are we not oh-so-clever to be in this very original production". Manipulations of lights and sounds to control the audience's behaviour during "breaks" gave you a feel of psychology student experience. In the end, the blurb about this play was the best thing and asked some interesting questions. The play certainly did not answer them.
Traverse
Seen on Sunday 8th of August 2010
I am not sure why the reviews are raving about this play. There is no stage!! Wow..... The actors are in the audience....amazing...but in the end, this was fairly conventional and the audience involvement remained minimal. Annoyingly, the smugness of the writer/main protagonist of this play had infected the audience and the whole thing stank of middle-class "Are we not oh-so-clever to be in this very original production". Manipulations of lights and sounds to control the audience's behaviour during "breaks" gave you a feel of psychology student experience. In the end, the blurb about this play was the best thing and asked some interesting questions. The play certainly did not answer them.
It's a knock-out?
Beautiful burnout
Pleasance
Seen on Sunday 8th of August 2010
Even if you are not into boxing, it is difficult not to get hooked by this play. It is visually stunning and the performances are faultless. The end was, weirdly, a bit of an anti-climax but nevertheless, this remains a very impressive production.
Pleasance
Seen on Sunday 8th of August 2010
Even if you are not into boxing, it is difficult not to get hooked by this play. It is visually stunning and the performances are faultless. The end was, weirdly, a bit of an anti-climax but nevertheless, this remains a very impressive production.
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Radio rules
The Fitzrovia Radio Hour
Underbelly
Seen Sunday 8th of August 2010
Fantastic show recreating a radio program when radio was the sole ruling media. The sound effects, the acting, the voices were perfect and you really felt as if you were part of the studio audience. The silly radio series and the rivalries between the actors added to the fun. Perfect show.
Underbelly
Seen Sunday 8th of August 2010
Fantastic show recreating a radio program when radio was the sole ruling media. The sound effects, the acting, the voices were perfect and you really felt as if you were part of the studio audience. The silly radio series and the rivalries between the actors added to the fun. Perfect show.
The Queen Mother knows best
Michael Topping: Heels over head in love
The Spaces@Surgeon Hall
Seen Sunday 8th of August
Half of Topping &Butch (the campest and filthiest musical comic duo) behind the keyboard to serenade you with old classics rearranged with dirty double-entendres. This simple format might sound a bit old-fashioned but Mr Topping's charm and personality are quite irresistible and I am on his side about David Milliband.
The Spaces@Surgeon Hall
Seen Sunday 8th of August
Half of Topping &Butch (the campest and filthiest musical comic duo) behind the keyboard to serenade you with old classics rearranged with dirty double-entendres. This simple format might sound a bit old-fashioned but Mr Topping's charm and personality are quite irresistible and I am on his side about David Milliband.
Sweet or mawkish?
Robbie wakes
Underbelly
Seen Sunday 8th of August
I am annoyed with this show. On one hand, the puppetry skills, the ingenuity of some of the choreography for the ensemble and the nice ideas that are scattered along the way make it a good show. On the other hand, the over-sweetness of the story, its lack of bite and darkness, the irritating dewy-eye tone of the whole narrative really put me off. I would still recommend it if you are not afraid of sugar overdose.
Underbelly
Seen Sunday 8th of August
I am annoyed with this show. On one hand, the puppetry skills, the ingenuity of some of the choreography for the ensemble and the nice ideas that are scattered along the way make it a good show. On the other hand, the over-sweetness of the story, its lack of bite and darkness, the irritating dewy-eye tone of the whole narrative really put me off. I would still recommend it if you are not afraid of sugar overdose.
Italians for beginners
Giacinto Palmieri is trying to be italian
C Soco
Seen on Sunday 8th of August
I was pleasantly surprised by this one-man show at C Soco. Giacinto manages to talk about interesting subjects (identity,stereotypes and even some linguistics thrown in) whilst keeping it light and entertaining. It is not a perfect show, the delivery needs improvement but it is refreshing to have someone treating his audience like adults and not relying on knob gags or crass cultural stereotypes. You might not laugh out loud all the time but you will smile and chuckle along.
C Soco
Seen on Sunday 8th of August
I was pleasantly surprised by this one-man show at C Soco. Giacinto manages to talk about interesting subjects (identity,stereotypes and even some linguistics thrown in) whilst keeping it light and entertaining. It is not a perfect show, the delivery needs improvement but it is refreshing to have someone treating his audience like adults and not relying on knob gags or crass cultural stereotypes. You might not laugh out loud all the time but you will smile and chuckle along.
Ouch...
Michael Fabbri: Fabrications
The Stand 2
Seen on Saturday 7th of August 2010
First real disappointment of the fringe. There is no doubt that Michael Fabbri has got talent and personality. But on the night I saw him, the material seemed to be rather ineffective and he really struggled to keep us with him during the whole hour. Let's hope for him that it was just an off-day
The Stand 2
Seen on Saturday 7th of August 2010
First real disappointment of the fringe. There is no doubt that Michael Fabbri has got talent and personality. But on the night I saw him, the material seemed to be rather ineffective and he really struggled to keep us with him during the whole hour. Let's hope for him that it was just an off-day
Classic stand-up
John Moloney: Butterflies with stretchmarks
The Stand 2
Seen on Saturday 7th of August 2010
A sharp,acerbic tongue in the body of a slightly overweight middle-aged man. You can tell John Moloney is an old hand at this: timely delivery, well constructed punch lines and on the whole good material (maybe some of it gets too gratuitously under the belt).
The Stand 2
Seen on Saturday 7th of August 2010
A sharp,acerbic tongue in the body of a slightly overweight middle-aged man. You can tell John Moloney is an old hand at this: timely delivery, well constructed punch lines and on the whole good material (maybe some of it gets too gratuitously under the belt).
Monday, 9 August 2010
Meanwhile on Ithaca...
Penelope
Traverse
Seen Saturday 7th of August 2010
If you have had the chance of seeing The Walworth Farce, you know how Enda Walsh can do weird weird yet entertaining and, IMHO, unsettling plays. In this production, the weirdness is partially diluted by the familiarity of the story (Penelope waiting for the return of Ulysses) but the settings of the play(the bottom of a decrepit empty swimming pool) and the focus on the four remaining would-be lovers of Penelope still allow Enda Walsh to deliver a strange and strong hour and half play. As often the telling and re-telling of stories, the re-enactement of events and the "staging" of oneself play a vital part in this relatively more straight-forward play.
Traverse
Seen Saturday 7th of August 2010
If you have had the chance of seeing The Walworth Farce, you know how Enda Walsh can do weird weird yet entertaining and, IMHO, unsettling plays. In this production, the weirdness is partially diluted by the familiarity of the story (Penelope waiting for the return of Ulysses) but the settings of the play(the bottom of a decrepit empty swimming pool) and the focus on the four remaining would-be lovers of Penelope still allow Enda Walsh to deliver a strange and strong hour and half play. As often the telling and re-telling of stories, the re-enactement of events and the "staging" of oneself play a vital part in this relatively more straight-forward play.
Lost in Scotland
Jacobite Country
Udderbelly Pasture
Seen on Saturday 7th of August
Sometimes, there are plays that you just don't get. I am not sure what it was: the performances were good and from what I could get of it, the story should have been interesting but I remained confused during the whole play to what was exactly happening and where it was all going. Maybe early festival fatigue?
Udderbelly Pasture
Seen on Saturday 7th of August
Sometimes, there are plays that you just don't get. I am not sure what it was: the performances were good and from what I could get of it, the story should have been interesting but I remained confused during the whole play to what was exactly happening and where it was all going. Maybe early festival fatigue?
Puppet Magic
Sticks, stones and broken bones
Underbelly
Seen on Saturday 7th of August 2010
Fantastic show suitable for the whole family where a man on his own creates magical moments with puppets made on the fly. This will probably sell out quite quickly if word of mouth does its magic and the array of skills displayed and the entertainment provided deserves a sell-out. Excellent show.
Theatre of Hate
Uber Hate Gang
Underbelly
Seen on Saturday 7th of August 2010
This is a play that certainly does not lack ambitions but despite strong performances from the entire cast, I am not sure it manages to achieve them. It is worth seeing for its gripping premises and the big themes that it tackles(terrorism, freedom of choice,...) but it feels at times clunky in its writing and staging.
Underbelly
Seen on Saturday 7th of August 2010
This is a play that certainly does not lack ambitions but despite strong performances from the entire cast, I am not sure it manages to achieve them. It is worth seeing for its gripping premises and the big themes that it tackles(terrorism, freedom of choice,...) but it feels at times clunky in its writing and staging.
The punk musical
The inconsiderate aberrations of Billy The Kid
Bedlam Theatre
Seen on Friday 6th of August 2010
This is the first show of the week for us, a few hours only after arriving in Edinburgh and we could have done much worse.
I am still slightly baffled by what I saw that night but it was thoroughly enjoyable. A bit of a "wtf" moment but it leaves you with a big grin on your face. The inconsiderate aberrations is somewhere between a play and a punk/metal musical. A solid live band provides the heavy musical backbone to a crazy play about pizzas, murders, schools and feminist guerrilla angels. Need I say more?
After this show,you will never listen to the Rolling Stones without a shudder...
Bedlam Theatre
Seen on Friday 6th of August 2010
This is the first show of the week for us, a few hours only after arriving in Edinburgh and we could have done much worse.
I am still slightly baffled by what I saw that night but it was thoroughly enjoyable. A bit of a "wtf" moment but it leaves you with a big grin on your face. The inconsiderate aberrations is somewhere between a play and a punk/metal musical. A solid live band provides the heavy musical backbone to a crazy play about pizzas, murders, schools and feminist guerrilla angels. Need I say more?
After this show,you will never listen to the Rolling Stones without a shudder...
Introduction
Hi,
This is going to be a very simple blog about my Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2010. I am 42 year-old guy from London and I have been coming to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival almost every year for more than 10 years now.
The reason for this blog is that the Fringe has managed to mess up the way reviews were done on their site (only the person who bought the tickets online can post the review and my boy-friend deals with the purchase of the tickets). Unfortunately, that is not the only thing the Fringe has misjudged this year but more on that later.
If you enjoy the Fringe Festival and if you want to get another opinion on some of the shows, I hope you enjoy this blog.
This is going to be a very simple blog about my Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2010. I am 42 year-old guy from London and I have been coming to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival almost every year for more than 10 years now.
The reason for this blog is that the Fringe has managed to mess up the way reviews were done on their site (only the person who bought the tickets online can post the review and my boy-friend deals with the purchase of the tickets). Unfortunately, that is not the only thing the Fringe has misjudged this year but more on that later.
If you enjoy the Fringe Festival and if you want to get another opinion on some of the shows, I hope you enjoy this blog.
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